Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Category:
Home Improvements
Following the stormy weather last week, people are being encouraged to repair the damage to their homes as quickly as possible.
Even relatively minor damage should be repaired quickly or at least made safe according to AA Insurance. The home insurer had as many calls in 24 hours as a normal week to its emergency helpline. Calls were typically for emergency window repairs, significant structural damage caused by trees and branches, flooding and damage to roofing including loss of slates or tiles.
In addition to insurance calls for homes, the insurer also received calls regarding damages to cars and these were 50% higher than normal. Damage reported by callers included debris from property hitting their vehicles such as slates, tiles, gutter and pipes. Trees, branches and fence panels were also reported as causing damage as were wheelie bins and shopping trolleys. Drivers also experienced damage behind the wheel having to swerve to avoid debris or floods, and some were even blown off course and hit other property or vehicles.
Commenting on the recent bad weather, Gerry Barrett, head of AA Home Insurance said, “Clearly insurance companies are experiencing an especially high volume of calls so please keep trying to get through. And once the weather has calmed down it’s important to look for tell-tale signs of damage that you might not have noticed. For instance, carefully look at your roof to see whether any tiles or slates have slipped or cracked. Gutters and pipes might have become dislodged and while still in place, might be dangerously loose. Take look in your loft when it’s raining and look for tell-tale drips of water and keep an eye on top-floor ceilings – a damp patch would suggest a leak. In your garden, secure loosened fence panels, too. Climbing on to your roof is best left to people who know what they are doing.”
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Homeowners who would like to strengthen their property against potential storm damage could consider making home improvements with a secured homeowner loan. One of many options, a secured homeowner loan could provide funds not only to strengthen property against potential storm damage, but could also help pay for bigger home improvement projects including an extension or
loft conversion. Other space adding projects that a secured homeowner loan could help with include adding conservatories or converting existing garages or basements. Secured homeowner loans can usually be taken over 5 to 25 years.
